A perfect Hurling weekend for Tipp
KILLINAN END
On the face of it last weekend was an unequivocally good one for Premier County hurling.
Thurles CBS landing the Harty Cup is a landmark moment at the best of times, for the school, and the clubs and players involved. A third Harty Cup in a row achieved by a different Tipperary school puts this in the realms of feats rarely achieved. Cork schools managed it back in the 1990s, and previously in the 1960s, so this is but the third time it has been achieved.
No less than Fitzgibbon Cups, there are lots of Harty winners back the years who were never heard tell of in the years that followed – Jimmy Doyles’ do not grow on trees – but it is a testament to a depth of strength in a small pocket of Mid-Tipperary with fourteen of the starting team coming from a few parishes in Thurles and its hinterland. Harty medals going to Roscrea and Seán Treacy’s might also be in the hen’s teeth category.
The following day saw the visit of historical old rivals from the Model County to Semple Stadium. We do not cross paths too often but when we do it always evokes memories of great occasions down the years. Our 1951 All-Ireland Final meeting with them signalled a high point for one of our county’s best teams, as indeed did 1962 and ’65. Turning a blind eye to a few bad days along the road we might suggest that the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final, with the character of the team and the sheer excitement, maybe tops the lot in any catalogue of memorable days against this county.
Last weekend was at the other end of the spectrum – low-key and grey-skied, but important in its own way. Wexford arrived as sitting ducks in the view of much punditry after the loss of several great men of recent years and the absence of the mighty Lee Chin. A rough handling from Cork at Wexford Park certainly did not augur well for the rest of the League and they must have approached the Horse and Jockey signs early on Sunday afternoon with a sense of foreboding. The Tipp performance in Salthill certainly showed that Wexford had a challenge ahead but nobody in this county with any sense of historical perspective would diminish the prospects of any Wexford team. Once bitten twice shy and then some.
One of the headlines at the weekend shouted out that Tipp “stormed” to the top of the League after beating Wexford. This was gilding the lily more than a little. It was a relatively lack-lustre affair with Tipp doing enough to win without storming anything in particular. The inability to pull away - despite seventeen scores from play against nine - and really put the boot on Wexford necks when they were struggling for survival might suggest a theme. Early signs of progress are just that for Tipp – insufficient data to go on, as they say.
You suspect Tipp will get all the data they want after next weekend in the Gaelic Grounds. No better place or opponent in the current climate against which to measure progress and to assess potential. If we can read anything into last weekend, we can surely say that Limerick are in rude health as spring approaches. Cork led by five points early on (0-7 to 0-2) yet found themselves 1-11 to 0-9 down early in the second half. That’s a turnaround of 1-9 to 0-2 over about half an hour which is extraordinary and a chilling thought for Cork.
The conflict by the Lee was attritional and sometimes nasty. Familiarity breeds such characteristics sometimes and this is taking on all the signs of a rivalry that could develop its own momentum with each game a stare-down. It is a prospect that could make life very taxing on a Cork team looking to make a breakthrough. You would not put the house on it not being a Limerick-Cork League Final or Munster Final either. Some of the scuffling and indeed striking in Páirc Uí Chaoimh suggests these two are sick of the sight of each other. They may have to grin and bear it and keep their best China at the ready for another while.
Tipp seem to have had a bit of good fortune in the draw, with Galway on the first day out clearly being a fair way behind their subsequent level of performance in Nowlan Park. Wexford will probably be vulnerable in all matches in the division. Four points garnered but perhaps our easiest four points in the competition. Still, both days showed evidence of a plan and ability to produce scores from a variety of sources. Some of the looseness and lack of pressure on opposing defenders when they are in possession will not wash for much longer. Still, we can cling to the old “you can only beat what’s in front of you” clause and move on.
Limerick will have a few knocks to contend with ahead of this game but have plenty of players. This will raise the bar significantly for Tipp and the couple of games already won will be a confidence-booster. A performance of absolute intensity and desire will give the supporters an energy shot as well irrespective of the outcome.